Riiska, Chapin to lock horns again

Susan Tuz

Updated 12:06 am, Monday, May 26, 2014

LITCHFIELD -- Democrat William Riiska and incumbent Republican Clark Chapin will face off again this November in the bid for the 30th District state Senate seat.

Riiska, a Lakeville attorney, was chosen to represent the Democrats at their district convention last week. Chapin was nominated for re-election in the GOP conclave on May 12.

Riiska lost to Chapin in 2012. Lack of name recognition in New Milford and Brookfield was a big factor in that race, Riiska said.

He ended up losing by more than 4,000 votes -- 19,474 to Chapin's 23,712.

"The major difference this year is that I don't have to start from scratch in New Milford and Brookfield," Riiska said. "There's also renewed and energized Democratic town committees in both towns. That should work in my favor."

The 30th District includes 14 municipalities in northwest and western Connecticut. It runs from the Massachusetts border south to Brookfield.

Chapin, who had been a 12-year state representative from New Milford when he was tapped for the Senate, also enjoyed the endorsement of outgoing state Sen. Andrew Roraback.

Riiska said the major issue in 2014 is the state budget.

"We do a lot of lip service about spending but not enough positive action," Riiska said. "If you can spend 10 cents of every dollar for prisons or for education, which would you chose? These are the questions we have to answer."

He faulted Chapin for voting against raising the minimum wage and against same-day registration and voting and for supporting a telecommunications bill unfriendly to consumers.

"There's a lot of ways Mr. Chapin's votes have not been in the best interest of the residents of the 30th District," Riiska said.

Chapin, declining to tangle with his opponent so early in the campaign, countered that his feedback from the 30th District has been positive.

"I respectfully disagree with Mr. Riiska," Chapin said Tuesday. "I'm proud of the record I've created in my time in the legislature, not just in the Senate."